Westerly Wireless Zone To Distribute Free School Backpacks

WESTERLY, RI — Wireless Zone of Westerly is inviting families to their store for a festive event as they distribute hundreds of school-ready backpacks to local kids and families.

It's the ninth annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway, and the free backpacks will be filled with school supplies such as pencils, erasers, pencil boxes, crayons, and rulers. The even is set for Sunday, August 1 at the 224 Post Road store.

It's not just a backpack giveaway, said regional manager Scott Gladstone. WBLQ radio will be broadcasting live. Free pizza and salad will be provided by Vittoria's NY Pizza. Spiderman will be on hand for kids who want selfies with a superhero. Classic cars from Jurrasic Park will be on the scene and a bounce house will be set up.

"It's going to be a cool event," said Gladstone. "It's part of what we do to give back to the community."

In years past, the store has given out hundreds of backpacks. It's one backpack per child, but the actual child doesn't need to be present if a parent or guardian stops by. The backpacks are distributed no questions asked, and all families are welcome.

According to the National Retail Federation, American families with school-aged children spent on average nearly $790 on school supplies in 2020.

"That's a lot of money. The goal is to lessen the burden," said Gladstone, who cited the statistic. "At the same time, we want everybody to have fun."

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The backpacks will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Similar events will be held at Wireless Zone stores across the country. More than 1.2 million backpacks have been donated since the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway launched in 2013. Supporters are encouraged to use hashtags #SchoolRocks, #BetterTogether and #BackpackGiveaway on Instagram and Twitter to help spread the word.

Wireless Zone, an authorized Verizon retailer, was founded in 1988 as "The Car Phone Store." It became the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor. Each of the over 400 stores are independently owned and operated.

In Westerly, Patrick Lynch is the local partner manager, and he'll be on hand for backpack day.